not an obligation.........

Love is a Gift NOT an obligation.

Today has been one of those days that this Mama was truly tested. My children are a gift. As an extention of that gift is the love I have for them. But today I could not take it. I have been battling a headache that took 12 hours to go away. Two of my children came home from school an absolute wreck.

Jack was so tired everything made him whine and cry. Even when I wasn't talking to him he would high-pitched squeal and cry. He had about 5 melt downs in about 4 hours. This mama was pushed to the edge today. Finally, we got enough food in him (seriously he come home everyday eats about 700 calories in snacks and still eats dinner less that two hours later, God help me when he is a teenager, he's only seven now), he cleaned his room, did some homework and I sent him to bed.

The Girls on the other hand REFUSED to clean their room, made an even bigger mess and nothing gets their attention. I have to be a mean mommy again. Before Christmas I threatened to take all the toys away. I did. I sorted the toys with sentimental value bagged up the rest and took them to Good Will. Just to walk in their room frustrates me to a point I want to cry. So tomorrow I will be collecting the new Christmas toys and throwing them in a bag.

I always tell them I love them even after we have disagreed about something, clothes, messy room, homework. Sometimes they even ask, "Mommy do you love me even though you are mad right now." The answer is always,"Yes, to infinity and beyond, to the moon and back, forever and ever, ALWAYS!"

As I head off to bed to end this EXHAUSTING day. I am thankful for my gifts but more greatful the sun has gone down and very soon today will be a memory. Here is to starting fresh in the morning and always treasuring a gift.

TTFN~

A family minute.....

As I was looking for my inspiration for today's post I remembered I had this photo of Madelynn I have been meaning to share.

This is Madelynn stopping to rest on a park bench on our way down Constitution to the Lincoln Memorial. This was a very long, cold day but well worth every minute. As I watched her ooh and aahh over all of the majestic architecture in our nation's capital I smiled ear to ear, the entire day. We walked miles that day, but I had no idea how far, honestly it doesn't matter how far. For her I would have walked triple the distance.

As a family we were some place we had never been, spending the day together, sharing a meal and the kids actually learned something. We couldn't have asked for better. Madelynn rode on Daddy's shoulder's some but she walked quite a bit too. As I watched her it took my breath away. I would have never believed anyone who told me four years ago we would be taking this trip.

We have come so far in such a short period of time. I had no idea how complete she would make our family.

Enjoy your family....

TTFN~

You deserve peace....

“Forgive others not because they deserve forgiveness but because you deserve peace”

I have spent more than half of my married life trying to find certain peace in my life. Most of the time when I couldn't find it, I was fighting within myself. The anger I felt verses whether I forgave a person. Suddenly one day I realized I needed to let go, the anger I felt was getting the better of me. If I forgave the person even if they didn't know it gave me immeasurable peace.

After the discovery of Madelynn's coming, her birth and her heart journey, I had so much anger I needed to find the right way to let it go. I didn't know who to forgive for this life altering experience. My free will created it. So forgiving myself and letting go of my anger at GOD was a very difficult thing to do. But it still always came back to my choice and free will made this happen.

A few years back I was angry that something happened. Others were angry for and with me. The others that were angry were VERY angry. They wanted to know why I wasn't more angry and what was I going to do about it. The answer was simply nothing. I refuse to let the others persons choices that truly did hurt my feelings consume me with anger.

I have a husband who loves me beyond measure, children who believe that I am the best thing since sliced bread, a God who loves me and forgives me no matter what. My life is complete. I refuse to live my life in chaos. For this reason, I will always forgive so my life has peace.

Wishing you peace in 2013.

TTFN~

I can live with that......

It’s better to look back on life and say, “I can’t believe I did that.” Than to look back and say, “I wish I did that.”

My world is small and insignificant to most people. But my children and my husband, are my world and I am the most significant person to them. Yes, I can live with that.

As we begin 2013, I was thinking about 2012 what a year. We reached great highs; we are one step closer to Madelynn being almost specialist free, Jackson's kindergarten teacher's promise came true and Kaitlynn is finding great balance in life. But we have also reached ridiculous lows; a grief I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Watching your spouse say good-bye to a sibling way to soon, should never happen.

But we are still standing here January 1, 2013 ready to take on a new year. The slate is clean, choices are always available and we are going to dive in. I don't ever want to look back and wish I would have done something. I would rather say," Well I tried that, learned this, time to try something new."

Hoping you find the courage to do the same.

Happy 2013!!

TTFN~

Her last year in single digits....

HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY KAITLYNN!!!

 

 

To my Dearest Kaitlynn,

People say children are resilient and can handle anything. I disagree. I tend to think this is more of a hope during a crisis than a belief. But you my sweet girl are truly amazing. You have come out of too many of these and your star shines brighter than ever.

Although there are days you make me want to run outside and light my hair on fire, most days that fire just melts my heart. You are a brilliant and creative big sister with so much love to give. On my worst days you just know I need an extra hug. I could never tell you enough how truly proud of the person you are becoming. I hope you have a fabulous day.

I chose the above picture because I can just feel your joy of being at the beach without a care in the world, hearing you laugh and run through the sand. After our crazy turn of events this year this is the JOY I hope for you all the time.

Happy Birthday Punkin!!

Love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond, forever and ever.....
Mama

TTFN!

Happy Thanksgiving........

Usually by now I have something I really want to post about to celebrate Thanksgiving. As I have talked about before Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday. It doesn't involve presents or any other requirement just show up to be thankful and celebrate family.

Phil and I are VERY LUCKY. We still have our parents and immediate family but we also have an amazing extended family too. Brothers that you would never know were just 1/2 brothers, sisters that would walk through fire for us, and people that have stumbled into our life that have no blood line whatsoever that we love like family. I don't think two people could be as lucky as Phil and I.

So today we Thank You ALL....to our parents for always being there, our siblings for never forgetting we are family and to those that came into our lives and made us better people for it....We thank you.

Something I never want to forget is to be Thankful for Dr. Alfred Kendrick. Without God's perfect timing and Dr. Kendrick's pediatric knowledge the picture below would not have Madelynn in it. He saved her life. We will forever be grateful he helped complete our family.

We hope everyone finds something to be truly THANKFUL for this year.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Thanksgiving 2012

TTFN~

Love,
The Addler's
Philip, Chelsea, Kaitlynn, Jackson and Madelynn

Enjoying the sunshine.......

After the emotionally exhausting week, a break was almost required. Phil had an oppportunity to go fishing, for the weekend, so I sent him away. Even though I could have really used his help at home, I felt he needed the fishing trip to decompress and regroup.

While he was gone I worked on some arrangements for the LCK dinner and silent auction fundraiser. Some friends came over and we knocked them out. THANKS GIRLS!!!

Today we worked on the kids rooms and the ridiculous amounts of laundry. I still have about two loads left making the grand total about 20 loads. This includes everyones sheets, comforters, towels and all the clothes. I am so sick of matching socks.

We decided to take a break and go to the park. It was a B-E-A-Utiful day, sunny, warm and just what we needed. Just being outside for a little while not having a care in the world, who could ask for more.

While Jack and I were working on his room, my dad called. He was checking to make sure we were able to get out heat back on. It is working. Thank God. Overnights have been near freezing. I told him we might sneak out and go to the park. His response, "Don't forget to take your camera."

I didn't........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Days like today......being able to wear t-shirts, and leave your coat in the car in November is why I LOVE living in the south. If you look around the smallest remnats of Fall are on the almost bare trees. You would have never known the way the sun was beating down.

TTFN~